Chapter 85: Li Jiansan's Martial Arts

"Manifestation of Myriad Forms!"
With a thunderous shout, Ye Tian unleashed a storm around him. Countless daunting shadows of gods and demons erupted and rampaged through the sky, forming wave after wave of terrifying force.
At the eye of the tempest, Ye Tian stood unshaken as a mountain. He spoke in booming tones, then thrust his palms forward. The ominous shadows whirled about him, surging like roaring tides toward Li Jian San.
Witnessing this awe-inspiring display, the crowd was stunned, faces changing abruptly in disbelief.
"What kind of martial art is this? It's terrifying."
"So this is the martial skill from the Imperial City? It’s truly extraordinary."
"With such formidable power, how can the young master hope to withstand Ye Tian’s attack?"
Hearing these murmurs, Li Qing Ming’s expression grew solemn.
"You act so high and mighty, but have you ever seen such miraculous martial arts?" Ye Tian sneered. He had entered the Imperial City’s Guild of Initiation, gaining access to the finest martial arts resources. The skills he now commanded could easily crush any from the Shengjing Sect.
Such was the dread of the Imperial City.
Boom!
The two forces collided.
Li Jian San, without even resorting to advanced techniques, shattered Ye Tian’s summoned shadows with ease.
Ye Tian’s face changed dramatically, staring at Li Jian San in disbelief.
"You broke my technique so effortlessly! What martial art are you using?"
Li Jian San merely smiled, offering no answer.
"So what if you’ve blocked me once? Next time you won’t be so lucky! Each attack will be stronger—I’ll see how you defend!"
Ye Tian roared in anger. With his current strength, Li Jian San was nothing but an ant before him, hardly worth his attention. He was merely toying with him; once the amusement faded, Li Jian San’s death would follow.
A deep, resonant hum arose as Ye Tian struck his palms together, summoning another torrent of divine and demonic shadows.
"Break!"
Li Jian San uttered a single word, sent forth a stream of spiritual power, and easily neutralized Ye Tian’s attack.
"What? This... is merely a second-tier martial art?"
Earlier, Ye Tian hadn’t noticed during Li Jian San’s first counter, but now he clearly sensed it: Li Jian San had used only a second-tier skill.
A second-tier martial art could so easily fend off his own technique?
How was this possible?
Ye Tian’s expression finally changed. Even he, when facing a third-tier technique, could not hope to block it with a second-tier method, let alone the top martial arts of the Imperial City.
He understood well the terror of the Imperial City’s finest skills, and thus his shock was profound.
On the other side, Li Qing Ming was equally dumbfounded, staring blankly at his own son.
In an inconspicuous corner below the stage, Elder Zhao Hua of the Scripture Pavilion wore a look of utter astonishment.
"This boy clearly studied many third-tier techniques before. Why is he using only second-tier skills?"
"No, something is off. All these skills belong to the Scripture Pavilion, but the power he displays is formidable, far exceeding their original strength, as if flawless. Some of these techniques, even I cannot match."
Though Zhao Hua was only the gatekeeper elder of the Pavilion, none dared underestimate his strength.
In mastery of the Shengjing Sect’s martial arts, even the Sect Leader could not rival him.
Yet now, Zhao Hua admitted his own martial prowess paled beside Li Jian San’s.
"No, it’s peculiar. Even if he perfected these skills, it’s impossible to exhibit power beyond their design. Unless he..."
"He improved the Pavilion’s martial arts!"
"I recall that boy visited the Scripture Pavilion but once, and only glanced through it. To comprehend the mysteries of the skills at a glance, and then optimize them..."
"His talent is simply astonishing."
No wonder Elder Zhao Hua was so shocked. To reach the pinnacle of a martial art requires time and painstaking practice. No matter how gifted, it’s impossible to master them so quickly.
Yet Li Jian San not only perfected the skills, he even improved them.
This was utterly inconceivable!
One must remember, Xiao Fan was only in his teens. Even if he began studying from birth, it would have been but a handful of years.
For a genius, reaching the peak in a decade would not be difficult.
But Li Jian San had never practiced before; to comprehend and improve these arts in such a short time was terrifying.
"The Shengjing Sect may no longer remain silent. Ye Tian may suffer a crushing defeat."
After a long pause, Elder Zhao Hua sighed.
On the arena, Ye Tian unleashed countless martial arts with formidable spear-like force, exchanging dozens, even hundreds of blows with Li Jian San.
Yet throughout, Li Jian San used only second-tier skills to effortlessly dissolve Ye Tian’s third-tier techniques, leaving the whole audience in shock.
This was a battle of third-tier martial arts! Even the most monstrous prodigies could not so easily counter with second-tier skills.
The more Ye Tian fought, the more astounded he became. Li Jian San was using only second-tier skills, yet could match him blow for blow.
If Li Jian San used third-tier skills…
How powerful would he become?
It was unimaginable—Ye Tian dared not even think further.
Such talent was truly terrifying. No matter what, Li Jian San must die today!
At last, Ye Tian had to admit Li Jian San was a monstrous prodigy, and so his desire to kill grew ever stronger.
A genius like Li Jian San, if allowed to grow, would surely become a great threat.
"How can your second-tier martial arts be so powerful? The force you unleash far exceeds their usual might."
Ye Tian spoke with a hint of fear.
Li Jian San only smiled.
"You can’t do it because you haven’t mastered the essence. How much do you understand of martial arts? When you push them to perfection, you’ll know what true power is."
"With your talent, it’s a wonder the Imperial City’s Guild of Array Masters even noticed you. They must be blind."
Finally, Li Jian San glanced at Gu Yue below the stage, clearly mocking him by implication.
"You little bastard, stop spouting nonsense. My strength will prove itself with my fists—I don’t need your advice!"
Ye Tian’s face grew cold.
Yet Gu Yue beneath the stage looked even colder. How could he not understand Li Jian San’s insinuations?
Ye Tian had been recommended by him; Li Jian San’s words were a direct insult.
Gu Yue’s aura erupted, shattering the tables and chairs around him into splinters.
"You brat, how dare you provoke me! You’re courting death!"
Gu Yue’s murderous intent surged…